Back, abdomen and posture supporting and retaining Johnson belt

Abstract

A posture support and patient retainer device for a seated individual, having an essentially rigid plate secured against the lower front abdomen of the wearer by a strap system including either a single or double strap extending around the wearer and the seat. The device is utilized to provide posture support for relief of pain and strain associated with prolonged seating and to retain or assist infirm individuals in remaining seated.

I claim: 
     
       1. A belt for providing support to a seated wearer, comprising: an essentially planer semi-rigid plate;   strap means removably attached to said plate for positioning said plate adjacent the abdominal area of the wearer;   cushioning means removably attached to said plate between said plate and said wearer, wherein said strap means includes a single continuous strap having: a first center portion having first releasable contact attachment means on a first surface thereof,   first and second end portions having second releasable contact attachment means on a first surface thereof, and   first and second intermediate portions having third releasable contact attachment means complementary to said second attachment means on a first surface thereof.     
     
     
       2. The belt of claim 1, wherein said plate includes releasable contact attachment means complementary to said first attachment means of said strap. 
     
     
       3. The belt of claim 1, wherein said plate spans essentially the front surface of the lower abdomen of said wearer.   
     
     
       4. The belt of claim 1, wherein: said strap is elongated for extending around the trunk of said wearer and the article upon which the wearer is seated.   
     
     
       5. The belt of claim 1, further comprising: a buckle for receiving and securing said strap behind said wearer.   
     
     
       6. A belt for providing support to a seated wearer, comprising: an essentially planer semi-rigid plate;   strap means removably attached to said plate for positioning said plate adjacent the abdominal area of the wearer;   cushioning means removably attached to said plate between said plate and said wearer, wherein said strap means includes two straps, each having: a first end portion having first releasable contact attachment means on a first surface thereof,   a second end portion having second releasable contact attachment means on a first surface thereof, and   an intermediate portion between said first and second ends, having third releasable contact attachment means complementary to said second attachment means on a first surface thereof.     
     
     
       7. The belt of claim 6, wherein said plate includes releasable contact attachment means complementary to said first attachment means of said straps. 
     
     
       8. The belt of claim 6, wherein said plate spans essentially the front surface of the lower abdomen of said wearer.   
     
     
       9. The belt of claim 6, wherein: said strap is elongated for extending around the trunk of said wearer and the article upon which the wearer is seated.   
     
     
       10. The belt of claim 6, further comprising: a buckle for receiving and securing said strap behind said wearer.   
     
     
       11. A belt for providing support to a seated wearer, comprising: an essentially planer semi-rigid plate;   strap means removably attached to a first surface of said plate and having first and second ends extending from said plate, for positioning said plate adjacent the abdominal area of the wearer;   cushioning means removably attached to a second surface of said plate between said plate and said wearer; and   a buckle for receiving said strap ends for securing said strap, wherein said strap includes: central releasable contact attachment means on a first surface of said strap,   end releasable contact attachment means on a second surface of said strap, adjacent each of said strap ends, and   intermediate releasable contact attachment means complementary to said end attachment means on said second surface of said strap and located between said end means and said central means.     
     
     
       12. The belt of claim 11, said buckle including a single loop having opposing sides for accommodating opposite ends of said strap, wherein: each end of said strap overlaps a respective side of said buckle loop.   
     
     
       13. The belt of claim 11, wherein said plate spans essentially the front surface of the lower abdomen of said wearer.   
     
     
       14. The belt of claim 11, wherein: said first and second strap ends are elongated for extending around the trunk of said wearer and the article upon which the wearer is seated.   
     
     
       15. The belt of claim 11, wherein: said buckle is configured for positioning behind said wearer.